Film
duologue
Drama
2 Characters

Norma Desmond's House — First Encounter

from Sunset Boulevard

Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, D.M. Marshman Jr

Sunset Boulevard

A struggling screenwriter accidentally stumbles into the decaying mansion of a forgotten silent film star who is mourning her dead pet. Joe Gillis attempts to navigate Norma Desmond's volatile delusions of grandeur and her intense resentment toward the evolution of the film industry. The encounter shifts from a hostile eviction to a potential business opportunity as Norma realizes Joe's profession.

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GILLIS: I wouldn't know.

NORMA: I don't care anyway. I want the coffin to be white. And I want it specially lined with satin. White, or deep pink.

NORMA: Maybe red. bright flaming red. Gay. Let's make it gay.

NORMA: How much will it be? I warn you - don't give me a fancy price just because I'm rich.

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CharactersGILLIS, NORMA
Duration3 min
Age Range35-45
GenderAny
GenreDrama
PeriodModern Classic (1900 1980)
Formatduologue
SourceSunset Boulevard
Toneintense
AccentMid-Atlantic
Suitable Fordrama school audition, agent showcase, self tape, general practice
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